Innovation awards at the Wine Campus Neustadt
At this year's 74th Palatinate Winegrowing Days, innovation prizes were once again awarded for outstanding bachelor's theses in the dual study program Viticulture & Enology and for the best thesis in the part-time master's program Wine, Sustainability & Sales. With the support of the prize sponsors Vereinigung Pfälzer Winzergenossenschaften e.V., Interessengemeinschaft Pfälzer Kellermeister e.V. and the VR Bank Südpfalz Foundation, the awards were endowed with 500 euros each.
Graduate Miriam Berner received the prize for the most innovative bachelor thesis in the field of phytomedicine. In her bachelor thesis, she investigated the influence of copper on Trichoderma. The thesis analyzed the influence of copper on the mycelial growth of six Trichoderma isolates. Trichoderma is said to have a positive influence on the soil root system and thus better nutrient supply, improved root formation and stress reduction (e.g. against ESCA-triggering pathogen infestation).
Jakob Drescher's thesis was awarded the prize for the most innovative bachelor's thesis in viticulture. With the topic "Effects of the use of a kale substrate in comparison to mineral and organic fertilization on rebphysiological and soil analytical parameters", Jakob Drescher dealt with a topic that will be highly relevant in the future due to climate change and the associated drought.
For the first time, a graduate of the Wine, Sustainability and Sales Master's program also received an award for the best Master's thesis. MBA graduate Michael Bohlender dealt with "Investigations into the future of the bulk wine market in Rhineland-Palatinate in relation to the structure of supply and demand". With this topic, Mr. Bohlender dealt with a highly relevant subject for all winegrowers.
